This week's European news

Letter n°1043 of Tuesday 7^th November 2023

Treaty revision: is Europe ready for a qualitative leap?

Dimitris Triantafyllou - 07 Nov 2023

Following the conference on the future of Europe, the discussion about a possible revision of the European treaties is once again on the agenda, particularly in view of future enlargements. Reforms to abolish vetoes, change voting rules, strengthen democracy and reorganise the European area are all being considered. Some of these reforms can undoubtedly be carried out within the framework of the current treaties, with a few innovations. Others will be more difficult because they will require a revision of the Treaties, which would first require changes to the amendment procedures. The main thing is for Europe to be effective.

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■ Front page! :

Before enlargement

Future enlargement of the European Union is presented as inevitable and unavoidable, and proposals to reform the institutions are multiplying. But while an overhaul of the treaties is clearly necessary, Europe first needs to demonstrate its added value in its day-to-day activities, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani. Read more

■ Foundation :

Publication of the Schuman Report, State of the Union 2023

Europe has changed, emphasises Jean-Dominique Giuliani in his introduction to the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2023", published by Marie B. In under five years, the European Union has acquired most of the tools it previously lacked to develop an industrial policy, to organise solidarity in difficult times, and a strategy of autonomy in economic and health matters. Read more

■ Commission :

Tour of the President in the Western Balkans

From 30 October to 2 November, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, visited the six countries of the Western Balkans that have applied to join the European Union. She presented the growth plan, which will be developed in detail on 8 November. She indicated that the implementation of reforms prior to accession would allow these countries to gradually access the single market and receive European aid. In Serbia and Kosovo, she recalled that the normalisation of relations between these two States with conflicting relations is a prerequisite for their accession. Read more - Other link - Other link - Other link - Other link

■ Parliament :

Roberta Metsola visits Paris

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on 31 October. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues, including energy and European competitiveness. The geopolitical situation in the Middle East was also discussed, and European support for Ukraine was reasserted. The day before, at the Sorbonne University, Roberta Metsola gave a speech on the future of the European Union. Read more - Other link

■ Council :

Meeting of Tourism Ministers

On 31 October, the Tourism Ministers meeting in Palma de Mallorca signed a declaration expressing their desire to steer European tourism towards greater social and ecological sustainability. Places receiving large numbers of tourists must continue to be habitable for local people, and natural environments must not be degraded by over-tourism. The ministers insisted on the quality of employment in the sector and the use of digital tools to strengthen the economic competitiveness of tourism. Read more - Other link

■ Diplomacy :

Meeting with the USA regarding energy security

The 11th meeting of the US-EU Energy Security Working Group was held on 31 October. The discussion focused on European gas supplies, following the war in Ukraine and the drastic reduction in Russian gas consumption. The parties reviewed the EU's actions in response to this crisis, the diversification of its supply through American liquefied natural gas, and the reduction of its consumption through energy efficiency measures. Read more

■ ECB :

Opinion on the digital euro project

On 31 October, the European Central Bank expressed its support for the Commission's proposals to establish a digital euro. The ECB made a number of recommendations on the legislative implementation of the project. For example, it wants to be independent in the issuing and management of assets, but also insists on the anonymity of users, so that the use of the digital euro is no different from cash payments. Read more

Piero Cipollone appointed member of the Management Board

Piero Cipollone, former Executive Director of the World Bank, has been appointed member of the ECB's Executive Board with effect from 1 November. He replaces Fabio Panetta. The Executive Board is made up of the President and Vice-President of the ECB and four members appointed by the European Council. Read more

■ Germany :

Conference on the future of the European Union

On 2 November, at a conference in Berlin attended by ministers from EU Member States and candidate countries, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed the need to embark on a process of enlargement of the European Union, so as to ensure its geopolitical stability, while at the same time undertaking reform itself. She called for structural support for the candidate countries, in particular to encourage democratisation and respect for the rule of law. Read more - Other link

■ France :

Industrial alliance for small modular nuclear reactors

In a joint letter, 12 Member States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden) asked the European Commission to create an "EU-wide industrial alliance", adding that the initiative should "stimulate investment in European SMR capabilities and the development of a European value chain". Read more - Other link

■ Italy :

Draft amendment to the electoral law

On 3 November, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a draft constitutional law for the election of its President by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term. The aim of the reform is to strengthen the stability of the government and consolidate Italian democracy. Read more

■ Ukraine :

Visit by the President of the European Commission

On a visit to Kyiv on 3 November, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the Ukrainian Parliament that she welcomed the country's democratic and economic reforms, and expressed her confidence that the European Union could decide to open accession negotiations at the end of the year. She met with Volodymyr Zelensky to reiterate European support for Ukraine, in particular through a 12th set of sanctions against Russia. Read more - Other link - Other link

■ Moldova :

Visits from the Portuguese President and Members of the European Parliament

On 31 October, Moldovan President Maia Sandu hosted her Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries' investment agencies, to facilitate direct contacts between the business communities. On 4 November, the Moldovan Parliament hosted the first meeting of the chairmen of the European Affairs Committees and the Foreign Affairs Committees of the countries of the European Union, who adopted a resolution on support for Moldova's European integration. Read more - Other link - Other link

■ Montenegro :

New government

On 31 October, the Montenegrin Parliament approved the new government led by Milojko Spajic, former Finance Minister and leader of the Europe Now party (PES), which came first in the legislative elections in June. The new government is based on a heterogeneous coalition. Read more - Other link

■ UK :

Summit on Artificial Intelligence

The "AI Safety Summit" on the risks of artificial intelligence was held on 1 and 2 November at Bletchley Park in the UK. 28 countries, including China and the United States, as well as the European Union, adopted a declaration calling for "shared responsibility" and joint prevention of threats. On 30 October, the G7 adopted a code of conduct encouraging the giants of the sector to work towards "safe, secure and trustworthy" artificial intelligence. Read more - Other link

■ Norway :

Nordic Council Meeting

The 75th session of the Nordic Council, which brings together Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden, as well as the Faroe Islands, Greenland and the province of Aland, was held in Oslo from 30 October to 2 November. Security, youth and ecology were the main themes of this session. Read more - Other link

■ Serbia :

Snap election on 17 December

On 1 November, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dissolved parliament and called for snap parliamentary elections on 17 December. These elections will coincide with local elections in 65 municipalities, including Belgrade. Read more

■ Council of Europe :

The United Kingdom has ratified the Saint-Denis Convention

On 31 October, the UK became the 28th state to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Approach to Security, Safety and Services at Football Matches and other Sports Events, also known as the Saint-Denis Convention. Read more

■ Eurostat :

GDP rising in the European Union and declining in the euro zone

According to an estimate published by Eurostat on 31 October, GDP rose by 0.1% in the European Union and fell by 0.1% in the eurozone during the third quarter. Read more

Rise in unemployment in September in the euro zone

In September, unemployment remained stable in the European Union at 6%. It rose slightly in the eurozone to 6.5%, compared with 6.4% in August, according to Eurostat estimates published on 3 November. More than 11 million people were unemployed in the eurozone in September. Read more

■ Studies/Reports :

State of democracy in the world

The fifth edition of the Global State of Democracy report published by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on 2 November finds that democracy and checks and balances are weakening. It notes that Europe remains the "best performing" region, but that "it would be unwise to be complacent". Read more

■ Culture :

Brancusi in Timisoara

Until 28 January 2024, the National Art Museum in Timisoara is hosting the most important exhibition-event devoted to Constantin Brancusi in Romania in the last 50 years. Entitled "Brancusi: Romanian sources and universal perspectives", it is the highlight of the "Timișoara - European Capital of Culture 2023" programme. Read more

Mike Kelley in Paris

An exhibition on Mike Kelley, entitled "Ghost and Spirit", is being held at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris until 19 February 2024. The exhibition highlights the artist's avant-garde work and examines the interplay of influences between generations of artists. Read more

Ukrainian and Polish embroidery in Krakow

Until 3 December, Krakow's City History Museum is showcasing Ukrainian and Polish embroidery in the exhibition "Vychyvanka - yesterday and today". Costumes from Ukraine and Poland are on show, as well as embroidered fabrics used to decorate Orthodox churches. There will also be embroidery and painting workshops. Read more

Visual arts festival in Galway

Until 19 November, Galway presents the 21st annual festival of the visual arts, entitled "Honey, milk and salt in a seashell before sunrise". The festival explores the subject of disability and the development of ideas around mental health and medicine in Ireland. This year's festival is dedicated to the artist J.J. Beegan, known for drawing with burnt matches while living in a psychiatric hospital in Surrey. Read more

Art and Antiques Fair in Vienna

The 53rd "Art&Antique" art, antiques and design fair is being held from 9 to 13 November at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. A not-to-be-missed event for art collectors and dealers, the fair stands out for its variety of genres and its cross-fertilisation of eras. Read more

Book fair in Brive

The 41st Brive Book Fair will be held from 10 to 12 November. A major annual literary event, the Brive book fair is also the venue for the Prix de la langue française. Read more

Frida Kahlo in Berlin

An immersive exhibition entitled "Viva Frida Kahlo" is being held in Berlin from 10 November to 31 January 2024. The 360-degree exhibition transports visitors through a unique sensory experience, while paying tribute to the work of the Mexican painter. Read more

Feriarte in Madrid

The next annual Feriarte fair will be held in Madrid from 11 to 19 November. This traditional art and antiques fair brings together the best Spanish and international antique dealers and gallery owners. Thousands of antique works of art of different styles, periods and specialities are brought together: Read more